CNN.com – Research: Third of study results don’t hold up — Oh brother!
CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) — New research highlights a frustrating fact about science: What was good for you yesterday frequently will turn out to be not so great tomorrow.
The sobering conclusion came in a review of major studies published in three influential medical journals between 1990 and 2003, including 45 highly publicized studies that initially claimed a drug or other treatment worked.
Subsequent research contradicted results of seven studies — 16 percent — and reported weaker results for seven others, an additional 16 percent.
found by K. Burel
This isn’t really a big deal. Check out ‘Fragile Science: The Reality Behind the Headlines’ by Robin Baker. A great eye-opener, very lucid, clear and easy to read (I read it 😀 )
Should we be surprised that one question is absent from the CNN article?
Who funded the studies?
Exactly! It’s all about who funded it and how the results are delivered. Just in: a recent study ultimately concluded that rabies is beneficial to people with a chronic dry mouth condition. It was reported that it relieved the problem for the rest of the tester’s life. : )
A timely subject.
I just read this morning that a Harvard Dentist is being investigated for misrepresenting a study. One of his grad students released a study showing a relationship between fluoride and a rare form of bone cancer. The dentist apparently suggested that the student’s study did not find any relationship while applying for a grant. The dentist is also the editor for a magazine published by Colgate-Palmolive, which makes Colgate Toothpaste.
http://www.craigslist.com/sfc/com/83779579.html